Anued spread of tick-borne diseases, and concerns about the resilience of our food system highlight a common challenge: Human, animal, and environmental health are all connected
These issues do not occur in isolation. They play out in complex systems shaped by biology, behavior, economics, and public policy. Understanding where those systems break down can help identify where investments and interventions will make the greatest difference
Agricultural and Applied Economics professor and new department head Karl Rich is an agricultural economist who studies how economic, social, cultural, and behavioral factors influence the spread and control of disease. His work acknowledges that animal, human, and environmental health are deeply interconnected
“We want to know why disease control measures succeed in some communities but fail in others,” Rich said
Much of his research has focused on livestock diseases in developing countries, including African Swine Fever, East Coast Fever, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease. These diseases can devastate herds, but their effects often extend much further, influencing household income, food security, and the stability of rural communities
In Uganda, for example, Rich studied East Coast Fever, a tick-borne disease that affects cattle. His team explored the practical barriers farmers faced when trying to control the disease, like limited veterinary care, few extension services, and reliance on ineffective or harmful traditional tick-control practices
“There was little support for cattle owners,” Rich said. “They often worked with outdated, poor information as there was a lack of Extension outreach.”
Working directly with communities, Rich and his collaborators examine how access to information, re build system dynamics models that connect factors such as production, marketing, consumption, environmental conditions, and cultural influences to help identify where interventions are most likely to improve outcomes
Rich has applied these approaches in Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Senegal, and Ghana, partnering with local stakeholders to create models that reflect real-world conditions and provide practical guidance for decision-makers
His current work brings these ideas closer to home. In collaboration with colleagues at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Rich is studying Theileria, a tick-borne parasite affecting cattle in Virginia and other states. The team is investigating how the disease spreads, how producers perceive risk, and which educational, management, and policy approaches could help reduce its impact. Their work seeks to address not only the biological aspects of the disease, but also the human and economic factors that shape how people respond to it.
“Ticks are rampant here,” Rich said. “We need to understand this endemic disease and consider what steps we can take to reduce its prevalence and improve outcomes.”
Rich is also collaborating with Veterinary Medicine and Public Health student Riana Bobes to help develop decision-support tools aimed at improving prevention and treatment of Buruli ulcer in rural Côte d’Ivoire. This debilitating disease disproportionately affects children and rural farming communities. Building on engagement with Afrique One, they are analyzing raw data to understand community networks and patterns of influence. Findings will help with targeted interventions that encourage earlier care and improve disease control.
Across these projects, Rich explores the systems and context that allow disease to spread and persist. By combining economics, stakeholder engagement, and systems modeling, he helps communities and policymakers identify leverage points where targeted intervention can improve animal health, protect public health, strengthen food systems, and support long-term resilience
“When we unpack what is behind disease spread, we can try to communicate policies and interventions that target it, Rich said.”
Contact:
Tom Soladay
540-232-2501
